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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
09:43
Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons
Published on: May 25, 2015
17.5K
Phrenic Nerve Block for Diaphragmatic Pain: Case Report
Chanon Thanaboriboon1,2,3, Marta A Vargas4, Konstantinos Alexopoulos2
1From the Department of Anesthesiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
A&A Practice
|July 15, 2024
Summary
Phrenic nerve blocks can alleviate chronic shoulder pain caused by diaphragmatic irritation. This ultrasound-guided procedure offered significant pain relief and reduced opioid use in two patients with chronic pain.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Referred shoulder pain is often linked to diaphragmatic irritation.
- Phrenic nerve blockade is documented for acute pain but not chronic pain conditions.
- Chronic diaphragmatic irritation can cause persistent ipsilateral shoulder pain.
Observation:
- Two cases of chronic diaphragmatic irritation presenting with ipsilateral referred shoulder pain were analyzed.
- Patients underwent ultrasound-guided phrenic nerve blockade.
- Pain levels and opioid consumption were monitored before and after the procedure.
Findings:
- Ultrasound-guided phrenic nerve block provided significant pain relief in both patients.
- A notable reduction in opioid consumption was observed post-procedure.
- This intervention shows promise for managing chronic referred shoulder pain.
Implications:
- Phrenic nerve blockade is a potential therapeutic option for chronic shoulder pain stemming from diaphragmatic issues.
- Further research is warranted to establish the efficacy and safety profile for chronic pain management.
- Careful patient selection and risk-benefit assessment are crucial before implementing this technique.
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